Sign structure



Se t. 13, 1938'. E. CUNNINGHAM 2 SIGN STRUCTURE I Original Filed Aug. 15, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 13, 1938.

L. E. CUNNINGHAM SIGN STRUCTURE Original Filed Aug. 13 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 55 lymanE. flwzm'zyizam Sham Patented S t. 13, 1938 UNITED STATES- SIGN STBUCTUBE v Lyman E. Cunningham, Cleveland, Ohio Application August 13, 1935, Serial No. 36,026

Renewed December 3, 1936 23 Claims. (01.. -64) v This invention relates to a sign structure.

The object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a structure of the class referred to, including display elements of vitreous material, illuminable from anedge or a plurality of edges thereof.

A further object'of the invention'is-to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a structure of the class referred to, including elements of vitreous material having a design etched or sandblasted thereon and illuminable, for display purposes, from an edge or edges thereof and with the designs in the form of letters, figures, other objects or compositions, and further providing for the changing, interchanging and adjusting of the elements when desired.

A further object of the invention. is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set-forth, a structure of the class referred to, including display elements of vitreous material and illuminable from an edge or edges'thereof in a manner to produce new and pleasing. color effects and color combinations of gas tube illumination.

A further object of the invention isto provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a structure of the class referred 'to, including illuminable display elements'of vitreous material capable of being arranged in groups, and with the groups capa-' ble of being interchanged relatively to each other, and further, with each group capable of being vertically adjusted independent of any of the other groups. i v

, A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a sign structure for improving the economy of illuminated advertising composition, displays or.decorative effects, and further for improving economy relative to the facility of composing the advertising composition, displays and decorative effects.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a sign structure including illuminable ,displa elements and further including provisions for variating, alternating and combining'the colors and color effects and appearance of the illuminated elements.

J further object of the invention is to provide g a means to improve the effectiveness of the illu- 'mination of thedesign on a display element of vitreous material by preventing light from being conducted along and reflected from the marginal portions of the faces of the element bordering the edge or edges of the latter through which pass the light rays for illuminating purpose.

Further objects of the invention are to provide,

in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an flluminthe invention consists of the able sign structure that is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, including display elements capable of being conveniently arranged, adjusted and interchanged, thorougly efilcient in the use intended thereby, readily assembled, and comparatively inexpensive.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, novel construction, combination and arrangement of 'parts as will be .10 hereinafter more specifically described and are as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of,the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to as fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. 9

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an illuminable. sign structure in accordance with this invention,

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof,.

Figure 3 is a view looking towards one end of the structure,

Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a display element holder assembly having a display element mounted thereon,

Figure 6 is a view display element extended through holder assembly, r 30 Figure? is a fragmentary view in perspective of a gas or neon tube support or retainer, and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the form of the securing and'suspending elements for the display element holder assemblies. 35

The sign structure" includes a plurality of-superposed display element holder assemblies 9. The number of assemblies 8, as illustrated, is four, but it is obvious that this number may be increased or diminished. Each assembly 9 includes a pair of oppositely'disposed spaced neon tube retainers iii of like form. Each retainer includes a lattice like 'body l-l terminating at each side in a rigid clamping member l2. Each member i2 consists of vertical flanges i3, I4 and IS. The flange limerges at, one' side thereof with one side of the body portion II and at its other side the flange ll terminates in an out-' wardly directed right angularly disposed arm iii which merges into one side of the flange ll. The latter is disposed outwardly with respect to flange l3 and merges at its other side into an inwardly extending right angularly disposed arm 'il which is of greater width than the arm similar to Figure 5 with a the top of the II and extends inwardly with respect to the 5 55 assembly. The neon tube 24 is of example, the elements latter. The arm I7 terminates into one side of the flange l and the latter is arranged inwardly with respect to the flange-l3. The flanges l3 oppose each other in spaced relation. The arms 5 l6 align with each other in spaced relation. The flanges |4 oppose each other in spaced relation. The arms l1 align with each other in spaced relation, and the flanges l5 are arranged in opposed spaced relation to provide apassage l8 for a 0 purpose to be referred to. The arms l6 and I! and flange l4 of each clamping member l2 provide a socket 9 which opens inwardly. The sockets l9 of the members l2 oppose each other in spaced relation. Mounted in one of the sockets 01' amember l2 is.a resilient fastener member 20. Mounted in the socket I9 of the other clamping member I2 is a resilient fastening member 2|. The members 26, 2| project-towards each other and normally abut when in non-securing position. The members 20, 2| are constructed of oblong bodies of rubber possessing the desired resiliency. The members 20, 2| extend inwardly beyond the flanges |5 of the clamping members I2 and these latter tend to normally maintain the members.26,. 2| in abutting relation and in a direction towards each other. Each assembly 9 further includes a pair of side plates 22, 23

which are arranged in spaced relation and, when in position, extend from the arm I! of one retainer I0 to the arm I'l of ,the other retainer l0.

, The plates 22, .23 abut against the outer faces of the flanges l3 of the retainers Ill. The plates 22, -23 are suitably secured to the retainers).

When the assembly is set up, the flanges I3 and. lattice portion ll of one retainer are arranged between the upper portions of the plates 22, 23, and the flanges l3 and lattice portion ll of the'other retainer'are arranged between the lower portions of plates 22, 23, the flanges 5 of one retainer extend upwardly with respect to the arms I1 01' such retainer and the flanges- |5 of the other retainer extend downwardly from thearms ll ofthe other retainer, and in this connection see Figure 5. l

The lattice portion flanges l3, I4, I 5 and walls and I! of each retainer, as well as themembers 26 and 2|, are of the same length. The

. width of the members 20 and 2| is greater than the width of the wall-i1 of a retainer.

Extending through the assembly 9 is a neon tube 24 which seats upon the lattice portion of the lower retainer of the assembly and is arranged in 'close proximity to, or it may abut, the lattice portion I l of the upper retainer of-the connected at its ends by any suitable means to the conductors of an illuminating circuit having interposed therein a suitable controlling switch. The connections and circuit may be of any suitable ar-- 60 rangement. The openings 25 in the lattice portions II of the retainers I9 provide windows for the passage of light rays from the neon tube 24. The sign structure includes lower display elements 26 capable of being arranged insidewise relation with respect to eachother and in grouplike form. The elements changed or interchanged. interchanged with relation the groups'may also be vertically adjusted. Each lower display element is formed of a body of vitreous material, as glass, having etched or sand-blasted on one face a design 29. By way of example, the designs are shown as letters, figures "and cent-mark abbreviations. By way 26 are shown as of The groups may be against the walls of groove groove 33, aligns with of eachgroup may be 'mediate fold 53 and a to each other and rectangular contour.. The elements may be of the same size or some may be larger than the other, and this arrangement is illustrated. The sign'structure further includes a top display element 29 which is of a length to extend from one end of the sign body to the other. The element 29 is also formed of. vitreous material, as glass and has spaced designs etched or sand-blasted on one face thereof. A group of the designs on element 29 and as indicated at 30 will set forth the name of a person or the name of the proprietor of the establishment for which the sign is used. The other designs, indicated at 3|, on element 29 are merely for ornamental purposes and shown, by way of example, as windmills. The edges of the elements 26 are squared. The bottom edge of the element 29 is squared.

The manner in which the display elements 26 and 29 are arranged so as to be illuminated by the neon tube 24 will be hereinafter referred to. The sign structure includes a rectangular base 32'formed with a lengthwise extending groove 33 in its top and extending from end to end thereof. The groove 33 is of rectangular cross-section. The base 32 centrally thereof and below and communicating with groove 33 is formed with a channel 34 lengthwise thereof and which corresponds in length to .the length of base 32. Secured upon the upper face of the base 32 and arranged in spaced parallel opposed relation is a pair of oppositely disposed mouldings 35, 33. The length of the base 32 corresponds to the length of the assemblies. The mouldings 35, 36 form a groove 31 centrally of the top of the base 32 and which opens into'the groove 33. Arranged each other are resilient insulating members 36, 39 which coact to form a groove 44. Mounted in the groove 33 is a pair of spaced strips 40, 4|

.of less height than the depth of groove 33. The

strips 40, 4| coact to provide a groove 42 which opens into the top of the channel 34. Interposed between the mouldings 35, 36 and the strips 49, 4|, as well as seating on and extending from said strips, is a pair of resilient fastener members 43. Secured upon the ends of the moulding 35 are vertically disposed spaced parallel side members 45, 46. Secured to the moulding 36, spaced rearwardly from the groove 31, is a vertically disposed back 4] of the same height as the height of the members 45, 46. The back 41, may be constructed of any suitable material. Mounted in the channel 34 is a hollow casing 43 having a lattice- .like top 49.' Arranged in the casing 49 is a neon tube 50 suitably connected in an illuminating circuit therefor. The lattice part of the top 49 of the casing 50 is arranged directly below the groove 44 and its top is flush with the bottom of groove 33.

The sign structure further includes a pairof oppositely disposed rigid securing members 5|, 52 for. the assemblies which are arranged above the base 32. Each of the securing members is formed .from'a length of suitable metallic material of plate-like form bent to provide an interpair of end folds 54, 55. The folds are the same length, but the width of fold 54 is materially greater than that of fold 55. The folds 54, 55 are rigid and form a channel in which the assemblies arranged above the base may be adjusted vertically and held in position by a set screw or other suitable means. The folds 53, 54 and 55 provide each securing member in the form of a channel but with one side of the wallof the channel of greater width than 31 and spaced fromthe other side of the wall of the channel. The

securing members 5|, 52 correspondin height to the height of the members '45, 46 and back 4l. The said securing members 5|, 52, when active, are interposed between .the back 41 and the members 45, 46.

The members 38, 39, and 45, coact with the mouldings 35, 36 and strips 46, 4| for detachably anchoring a display element'26 in upstanding position with respect to the base 32 and in edge,-

, wise related position with respect to the neon tube 50 whereby the latter will illuminate the display element from its lower edge. The display element 26 is slidably mounted in upstand--.

ing position with respect to tube 50, and when two or more display elements are arranged to be 1 illuminated from tube 50, they are disposed in sidewise relation.

With reference to Figures land 4, a plurality of superposed display element holder assemblies. are shown and which are generally referred to on Figures 1 and '4 by the reference characters 56, 51,- 58 and 59. The assemblies 56, 51 are shown as having detachably secured thereto oppositely extending display elements 26. The as- .semblies 58, 59 are each shown as supporting a display element 26 and having anchored thereto a display element 26. The display element supportedby assembly 56 is anchored to assembly 51 and is illuminated only from the neon tube 24 of assembly 51. The display element supported by the assembly 59 is illuminated from the neon tube 24 of the assembly 58. The display elements which are detachably anchored to the assemblies 56, 51 are illuminated by the neon tubes 24 of the said assemblies. The lower display element detachably anchored to the assembly 56 is also detachably anchored to the assembly 51 and is not only illuminated by the neon tube of assembly 56, but also bythe neon tube of the assembly 51.

The fastener members 20,2! of each pair of assemblies, when 'in abutting relation, arrest the passage of the light rays from a neon tube to a display element, and in this connection attention is directed to the assemblies 58, 59, Figure 4. Each pair of faste er members, when activeto -detachably anchor a' display element to an as- I sembly, has its inner portions bent away from each other as the element 26 is passed entirely through passage l8 to abut the lattice portion II.

The bent portions of the members 20, 2| are interposed by the display element between the latterand the inner faces of the flanges i3 and act as a frictional latch to detachably anchor the" element to, an assembly. I

When the members 5|,.52 'arein securing position relative to the assemblies 56, 51, 58 and 59, they 'frictionally engage the rear and forward faces of the flanges l4, of said assemblies and between the folds 54', 55, wherein the said assemblies are held in position either by friction,

. set screws or other suitable means.

The tubes 24 may be of alike color or of different colors. The tube 50 may be of a different color from that of the tubes 24. The arrangement of the neon tubes relatively to the display elements provides for the illuminating of these latter from an edge or edges thereof. As the tubes may be of different jcolors'a display element may be illuminated from a blending of colors. The assemblies, if desired, maybe spaced from each other and have detachably anchored thereto in suspending relation a single display element or a plurality of display elements in sidewise opposed relation. The assemblies may have anchored to the top and bottom thereof a display element or a plurality of display elements in sidewise opposed relation. A lower assembly may be disposed to support or have detachably anchored thereto one or more display elements detachably anchored to an assembly next above. The display elements carried byv an assembly may be conveniently changed or interchanged when desired, and this applies in connection with the means carried bythe base for detachably anchoring the display elements thereto. The members 5|, 52, when inactive position, conceal the ends of the display element holder assemblies.

What I claim'is:' p

1. In a sign structure, a pair of superposed edged display elements, a holder assembly therefor, including a pair of oppositely disposed luminous tube retainers formed with opposed latticelike portions, said assembly including anchoring means carried by said retainers for said elements, each of said portions opposing an edge of one of said elements, and a luminous tube arranged between said lattice-like portions for illuminating said elements from an end thereof.

2. In a sign structure of that type including illuminable display elements, a holder having a a passage forthe insertion therein of a display element, said members arranged adjacent to one side of said lattice-like portion, and a, luminous element arranged in said holder at the other side of said lattice-like portion for illuminating the inserted display element from an edge thereof.

' 3. In a. holder for a luminous tube and illuminable display elements, the combination --of a pair of oppositely disposed combined display element receivers and a luminous tube retainer structure, each consisting of a hollow body formed'with a display element passage, 9. lattice-like portion opposing in spaced relation the inner end of the passage and a pair of inwardly opening spaced aligning sockets interposed between said portion and passage, a pair of flat inner edgewise aligning resilient normally abutting display element securing members mounted in the sockets of each.

body and having bendable parts normally closing the inner end of a passage and bendable to engage the display element in anchoring relation to the latter on the extending of the display element through the passage, and coupling means inter-.

posed between said bodies for "connecting them together, the lattice-like portion of one body being spaced from that of the other to provide an opening for the reception of the luminous tube to illuminate the display elements from an edg thereof.

4. In an illuminable sign structure of that type including display elements illuminable from an edge thereof, a hollow body open at its ends and including a lattice-like horizontally disposed wall forming portion for the passage of light rays from a luminous element, a pair of oppositely disposed side wall forming portions, said side wall forming portions being formed with flanges terminating into a pair of -inwardly opening horizontally disposed aligning spaced sockets for the reception of display element anchoring means, each socket including an inner and an outer wall arranged in superposed relation,'sai d outer wall being of greater width than said inner wall, and said side wall forming portions being provided with spaced parallel means disposed outwardly at right angles to the'inner terminus of the said outer walls to form a display. element passage adjacent said Y 5. In an illuminable sign structure, a pair of spaced opposed upright securing elements, a plurality of superposed holder assemblies extended at their ends into and suspended by said elements, display elements extending above and depending from said assemblies, said elements being inserted into and extended from said assemblies, said assemblies being provided therein with means for detachably anchoring the display elements thereto, a luminous element within each assembly, and each assembly being formed with superposed spaced means opposing the luminous element therein for the passage of light rays to illuminate the display elements from an edge of the latter.

6; In an illuminable sign structure, a pair of spaced opposed upright securing elements, a. plurality of superposed holder assemblies extended at their ends into and suspended from said elements, said assemblies being bodily adjustable relative to said elements,'an upright display element extended into each assembly, said assemblies being provided therein with resilient means engageable with said elements for detachably anchoring the display elements thereto, a luminous element within each assembly, and each assembly being formed with means for the passage of light rays to illuminate the display element carried thereby from an edge of the display element.

7. In an illuminable sign structure, a pair of Spaced opposed upright securing elements, a'plurality of superposed holder assemblies extended at their ends into and suspended from said ole ments, said assemblies being bodily adjustable relative to said elements, an upright display element extended into each assembly, said assemblies being provided therein with resilient means engageable with said elements for detachably anchoring the display elements thereto, a luminous element within each assembly, and each assembly being formed with means for the passage of light .rays to illuminate the display element carried illuminate the display elements from an edge of the latter, said portions being-spaced from said passages to provide a space for receiving the tube,

said assembly including a pairof normally ina display element to the assembly on the extending of the element into the assembly through a passage, each of said securing means, when in inactive position, constituting a shutter to prevent'the passage of light rays in a direction wards a passage.

9. In an alluminable sign structure of the type including displayelements for positioning to be illuminated from an edge thereof, a luminous tube for opposing an edge of a display element, a lattice-like wall forming portion opposing said tube for. the passage of light rays, means to provide a passage spaced from said wall forming portion for the insertion of a display element to oppose in edgewis'e relation said wall forming the latter through said passage to make said member active to detachably anchor'the display element in edgewise relation with respect to said lattice-like portion. j

10. A sign structure comprising a plurality of like, relatively interchangeable display units, mounted in substantially edge to edge relation, and common supporting means therefor, each of said units comprising a plurality of similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements, and supporting means therefor, said elements each being illuminable from a marginal edge thercof and means to illuminate said elements from said marginal edge.

11. A sign structure comprising a plurality of like, relatively interchangeable display units, mounted in substantially edge to edge relation, and common supporting means therefor, each of said units comprising a plurality of similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements,'and supporting means therefor, said elements each being illuminable from a marginal edge thereof, and means to illuminate said elements from said marginal edge, the illuminating means for the elements of each unit being supported by and forming part of the respective units.

12. A sign structure comprising a plurality of like, relatively interchangeable display units mounted in predetermined spaced relation to each other and each comprising a plurality of similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements, and supporting means therefor, said elements each being illuminable from a marginal edge thereof, means to illuminate said elements from said marginal edge, and means for adjusting the spacing of said units.

13. A sign structure comprising a plurality of like, relatively interchangeable display units mounted in predetermined spaced relation. to each other and each comprising 'a plurality .of similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements, and supporting means therefor, said elements 83.011: being illuminable from a marginal edge thereof, means to illuminate said elements from said marginaledge, the illuminating means for the elements ofeach unit being supported by and forming part of the respective unit, and means for adjusting the spaning of said .units.

14. A sign structure comprising a plurality of said units comprising aiaaaai changeable and interchangeable display elements, and.supporting means therefor, said supporting means being constructed and arranged to receive additional similar display elements and to facilitate changing and interchanging of all of said elements, whereby various compositions and arrangements may be made with the same and with additional display elements, said elements each being illuminable from a marginal edge thereof, and means to illuminate said elements from said marginal edge. I

15. A sign structure comprising a plurality of like, relatively mounted in substantially edge to edge relation, and common supporting means therefor, each of said units comprising a plurality of similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements, and supporting means therefor, said elements each being composed of vitreous light transmitting material and illumin'able from a marginal edge thereof, and means to illuminate said elements from said marginal edge.

16. A sign structure comprising a plurality of like, relatively interchangeable display units, mounted in substantially edge to edge relation, and common supporting means therefor, each of a plurality of similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements, and supporting means therefor, said elements each being composed of vitreous light transmitting material and illuminable from a marginal edge thereof. and means to illuminate said elements from. said marginal edge, the liluminating means for the elements of each unit being supported by and forming part of the respective units.

17. A sign structure comprising a plurality of like, relatively interchangeable display units, mounted in substantially edgeto edge relation, and common supporting means therefor, each of said units comprising a plurality of similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements, and supporting means supporting means including friction means for detachably receiving and retaining said display elements in position, interchanging said elements within a unit and from one unit to another,- and means to illuminate each of said elements through a marginal edge thereof 18, A sign structure comprising a plurality of changeable and interchangeable display means of vitreous material having a plurality of edges,

means to supportsaid display means in groups each forming a unit, said units being relatively interchangeable,

changeable and interchangeable within a unit,

'by said supporting means interchangeable display units,

edge or edges, when the illumination of the distheretor, said to facilitate changing and and said display means being and means in each unit to illuminate said display means.

19. A sign structure comprising changeable and interchangeable display means of vitreousmaterial having a plurality oi edges, means to support said display means in group units, means carried by said supporting means for illuminating said display means from one or more of the edges thereof, said supported. group units being interchangeable with each other, and means carried for blocking passage of light along and reflected from the marginal portions of said display means bordering the said play means is effected. v v

20. A sign structure comprising a plurality of like, I relatively interchangeable display units mounted in predeterminedspaced relation to each other and each comprising a plurality of similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements, and supporting means there-for, means adjacent a marginal edge of said elements to illaminate the elements, and'means for adjusting the spacing of said units.

21. A sign structure comprising a plurality of like, relatively interchangeable display units mounted in predetermined spaced relation to each other and each comprising a plurality of similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements, and supporting means therefor,

means carried by each of said units in a location adjacent amarginal edge of said elements to illuminate the elements, and means for adedge relation, and common supporting meansthereior, each of said units comprising a plu-' rality of similar relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements, means to suspend and thereby support said elements in their respective units, said elements being illuminable from a marginal edge thereof, and means to illuminate said elements from said marginal edge.

23. A sign structure comprising aplurality of display units, mounted in substantially edge to edge relation, and common supporting means therefor, each of said units comprising a plurality of similar relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements, means to suspend and thereby support said elements in their respective units, said elements' beingilluminable from a marginal edge thereof, and means in each of said units positioned adjacent said suspending means to illuminate said elements from said marginal edge.

LYMAN E. CUNNINGHAM, I 

